Most people don’t really know the language of young people, but… a Best Friend is worth their weight in Gold. The link below will take you to a quick 15 minute MP3 on iTunes. If you have a BFF then take a quick listen and see if your relationship will improve as you head into 2009.Whatcha Doin with your BFF?

I have to tell ya – I am totally stoked about our new Podcast! I just received an e-mail yesterday from iTunes that we are officially in the iTunes store!! >>> UNITED YOUTH CHURCH PODCAST
It’s very exciting! Please check us out, and let us know what you think. AND… if you leave a comment that would be totally awesome!

Every year in Chicago a group men get together and plunge in to the freezing waters of Lake Michigan to swim. Why? You ask? I was about to ask the same thing. You would think that wearing a swim suit would be for the Summer. Have you ever said something at the wrong time? Don’t you feel awkward? Or maybe you’re invested in the stock market at the wrong time, and you ended up loosing a lot of money. It’s so important to know which season you’re in so as to be effective in what you want to achieve.

From the gospel of Luke 21:37-38 there are some interesting things we can learn from Jesus about how to operate in our particular season.

1. In THE DAYTIME He was teaching.
The “Day Season” is a time to go out, reach out, or step out in faith in that particular venture that God is leading you in.

2. But AT NIGHT He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet.
The “Night Season” is a time to reach in. It’s more of a reflective time where you think, meditate, plan and pray.

3. Then EARLY IN THE MORNING all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.
The “Early Morning Season” always follows a fruitful “Night Season” of weeping, struggling, wrestling with God, renewed efforts in prayer, resolving to come out different, and letting all the rotten things of the world fall off from you. The “Early Morning Season” is a time of reaping that which you’re genuinely sown in the “Night Season”. It’s a fresh, new season of effectiveness and heavenly productivity. It’s also a time where the spiritually lost, cold and hungry are supernaturally drawn to your relationship with God, and where you begin to have an impact on those around you.

“THEN” is an amazing word of hope to those of us who feel we are somewhat stuck in the “Night Season”. Though weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Hallelujah – Seasons change, and you don’t have to wear Speedos in the snow!

Bob Dylan sang, “The times, they are ‘a changing” . Road rage, profanity on TV, people shouting at their co-workers, marriages imploding only after 6 months… we sure are living in different day. Whatever happened to knowing how to control your emotions?

“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.” [Psalm 50:23 NKJV]

At times our conduct can be like an unchained dog – no one knows how we’re going to react (or attack), and sometimes we even bite! Proverbs 16:32 says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city”. [NKJV]. Our conduct is a reflection of our spirit man. For many people, their lives are spinning out of control – there’s no order. In fact it’s down right chaotic. We need to learn to “rule” our spirit, and “order” our conduct. No, you’re NOT going to lash-out in this situation!” Order that conduct of yours! Don’t let it off the leash.

Conduct, emotions, words, feelings, mannerisms, responses, e-mails, and conversations MUST be held at bay, and ought not to be left to a “whatever” mentality. We simply can’t afford to let our flesh run wild.

How can I control it? How can I command my conduct? “Praise glorifies Me.” Notice it didn’t say, “Silent grumpiness glorifies Me.” Isaiah 61:3 says that God will give you a “spirit of praise” in exchange for your “spirit of heaviness”. That’s not a bad deal, if you ask me. Do I really want to “see the salvation of God” – in me, on the job, in the car, in my family? Then I MUST command my conduct. Let’s get it in order and start to set some boundaries. Let’s get rid of the “spirit of heaviness”, and start praising God on a daily basis. Your days will take on a whole new excitement if you do.

I think if we could literally see into the spiritual realm we’d actually be shocked by what we saw. Some Christians think they’re a “Hulk-of-a-Christian”, but in reality they’re nothing but a “Pee-Wee-Herman-Christian”.

And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” [Acts 19:15 NKJV]

My Pastor here in Chicago, Ray Berryhill, has a little saying, “Tell the truth – shame the Devil!” Because, as long as you’re faking it, you’ll never make it! Who are you? So many Christians today are like “Spiritual Quadriplegics”, and they don’t even know it. The Devil has you bound. He’s gently combing your hair as you sit in front of “the mirror of poor self image”. All you’ve got is a blank stare. Everyday he laughs and mocks at you as you drool through your “straw of procrastination”.

Who will be bold enough to get out of this “wheelchair”? You can’t be a warrior when the enemy has you bound! Listen and respond to the Master’s voice as He says to you today, “Rise and be Healed!!”